Adverbs “hard” and “hardly”: What’s the difference?

Look at the examples below. Can you tell the difference in meaning between these words?

These guys are running hard.

This guy hardly runs.

Here, it’s raining hard.

Here, it hardly rains.

On the weekends, she studies hard.

On the weekends, she hardly studies.

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The adverb “hard” intensifies the verb. It means “a lot” or “with great energy & determination.”

It follows the verb.

He works hard. He should be promoted.

She trains hard before a competition. She really wants to win.

In contrast, the adverb “hardly” tells you “almost never” about a verb or “almost not at all” about an adjective.

It precedes a verb in the simple past & present and comes after the helping verb in other tenses. It precedes any adjective it modifies.

He hashardly shown up for class this term. He’s going to fail.

Don’t be so lazy! You arehardly trying. Why not?

It’s hardlypolite to burp in public. If you do so, you have hardlyany manners.

We hardlysleptlast night.

Look at the pictures below. Make a sentence with either hard or hardly. (Answers below)

1) She has hardly any money. 2) These men are working hard. 3) They are playing hard. 4) The boy is sad because he has hardly grown.